Melissa Cole, MS, IBCLC, PMH-C is an internationally board-certified lactation consultant, neonatal oral motor assessment professional, clinical herbalist, and perinatal mental health-certified provider with over two decades of experience in perinatal care. As the founder of Luna Lactation & Wellness, she provides clinical support, professional mentorship, and education on integrative approaches to lactation, infant feeding challenges, and perinatal health. Melissa is a published author, researcher, and international speaker known for blending evidence-based practice with compassionate and inclusive care.   

Mariana Colmenares Castaño, MD, IBCLC, studied medicine at the National University of Mexico and became an IBCLC in 2011. A Paediatrician specializing in breastfeeding medicine, she has lived in London, UK since 2022, where she is the Clinical Lead of the Global Breastfeeding Clinic and works in neurodevelopmental paediatrics. Mariana is the current Secretary of the Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine and a proud founding member of the National Lactation Consultant Association of Mexico. She has contributed to national breastfeeding projects in Mexico, including the Breastfeeding Country Index, consulted for the National Health Institute, collaborated with UNICEF, and served on the WHO Technical Advisory Group for the Infant and Young Child Feeding Model Chapter.

Christy Jo Hendricks, IBCLC, RLC, CLE, CCCE, CD, is an international speaker, teacher and author. She has made a career of teaching professionals and parents in ways that simplify learning and keep audiences engaged. She has experience in hospital settings, health clinics, support groups and private practice. Her student enjoy continued mentoring and counseling in their practice and while they prepare to sit the IBLCE Exam. Christy Jo created an IBCLC prep course that has earned the distinction of having the highest percentage of students pass the IBLCE Exam (compared to other prep courses). She resides with her family in California where she continues to serve her community as an IBCLC, CLE, CCCE and doula. Christy Jo has been awarded the Presidential Volunteer Award, Who's Who Among Teacher's Award, the Phyllis Klaus Award for Positive Impact on Parent/Infant Bond from DONA International, the Above and Beyond Award for Innovative Practices by the Department of Public Health, and Lactation Educator Faculty of the Year by Childbirth and Postpartum Professional Association. She has also been recognized for her publications.

Bonnie Holt Logsdon, BS, RD, IBCLC

Susan Howard, RN, MSN, IBCLC  is a Registered Nurse and International Board Certified Lacation Consultant with over two decades of experience supporting families with complex feeding challenges. She is the founder of Arlington Lactation & Feeding Therapy, a private practice near Washington, DC. She provides advanced lactation care with a focus on tethered oral tissues, bottle refusal, and complex feeding situations. Susan holds a Master of Science in Nursing and began her career in public health before focusing on maternal-child health. Her clinical roles include labor and delivery nurse, childbirth educator, clinical research nurse, and clinical faculty at Georgetown University. In addition to her private practice, Susan leads a weekly feeding support group, mentors lactation professionals, consults on product development, and presents nationally on strategies for bottle feeding. She is known for her practical, evidence-based approach and her commitment to improving outcomes through interdisciplinary collaboration.   

Dr. Kendall-Tackett, PhD, IBCLC, FAPA is a health psychologist, IBCLC, and CEO of Praeclarus Press, a small press specializing in women’s health. She is Editor-in Chief of the journal, Psychological Trauma and was founding Editor-in-Chief of Clinical Lactation. She is Fellow of the American Psychological Association in Health and Trauma Psychology, Past President of the APA Division of Trauma Psychology, and is chair of APA’s Publications and Communications Board. 

Kara Kaikini, MS, IBCLC has been an IBCLC since 2009 and has worked as a home visitor, postpartum doula, childbirth educator, and a hospital childbirth education and lactation services program manager. She teaches prenatal classes and facilitates the weekly breastfeeding group for Maine Medical Center. Kara is the Executive Director of the Maine State Breastfeeding Coalition, whose mission is to enhance the culture of breast/chestfeeding in the state of Maine through advocacy, education, and connection. She is passionate about supporting people throughout their vulnerable transitions to new parenthood and their lactation journeys by enhancing systems to better support them. Kara lives with her husband, two active boys, and one energetic dog in coastal Maine. 

 Jae Kim, MD, PhD is a pediatric neonatologist. He leads a team of healthcare professionals who work in 14 different NICUs and newborn sites across the Cincinnati area. They couple this exceptional care with important bridges to scientific discovery in the areas of laboratory research, clinical research, quality improvement and follow-up care for the best long-term health outcomes. He assisted in the formation of two donor banks for human breastmilk – one in Toronto, Canada, and the other in San Diego. In his research, he has had a long-standing interest in newborn nutrition, with a particular focus on a mother’s breastmilk. The lifesaving properties of breastmilk are still in an exciting period of discovery. He is also dedicated to strengthening our care of infants by integrating more advances in technology, such as improvements in the use of monitored data and electronic health data, as well as softening our care with the integration of family-centered care practices. He and his wife are proud parents of two grown adults. He loves traveling, swimming, hiking, cycling, and golf.

Jacqui Stevens, MS, RDN, LD, CLC is a registered dietitian nutritionist specializing in maternal and child nutrition, a certified lactation counselor, mom of two under five and owner of Home Grown Nutrition, LLC. She guides parents and families through pregnancy and postpartum nutrition, lactation, the introduction of solid foods to their babies, and provides guidance with food allergies and peaceful mealtime strategies through age five. Jacqui practices nutrition counseling from a weight inclusive paradigm, focusing on intuitive eating and body positivity to help break generational cycles of the diet mentality. She is passionate about helping families foster an environment at home where food is both joyful and nourishing. 

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